Organize your stay Taiwan
Covid-19 : current situation Taiwan
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Taiwan. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Taiwan
Taiwan's currency is the new Taiwan dollar or, in short, NT$. In English, the Taiwanese say more simply NT. The Iso code is TWD. There are NT$ 100, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 (quite rare) banknotes and NT$ 1, 5, 10 and 50 coins.
In February 2020, one new Taiwan dollar is equivalent to about 0.03 euro, which, despite exchange rate fluctuations, is equivalent to 1 euro = NT$33.
Budget & Tips Taiwan
Compared to the prices in Europe, life is cheap in Taiwan. By settling down on a table corner, in an unpretentious snack bar, one can indeed eat very well for NT$ 80 (€ 2.4), and an entrance ticket to a museum rarely exceeds NT$ 100 (€ 3.3). Public transportation, even air travel, is not expensive. On the wallet side, no cash hole to be expected, except for the accommodation budget. There are plenty of hotels in Taiwan, but the world-class hotels, where the staff speak English, are quite expensive - proportionally speaking, of course - compared to the rest of the prices. On the other hand, if you don't pay attention to where you sleep, the price of your stay should remain reasonable.
A few prices as an indication: One liter of fuel (gasoline): 30 NT$. A newspaper in English: NT$15, in Chinese: NT$10. A packet of cigarettes (American brands): NT$90.
Change. Banks, hotels and exchange offices accept all foreign currencies, but if you have a scarce currency, prefer airport exchange offices to city centre exchange offices. Beware, Taiwanese currency is not convertible, so you have to make your pocket money before leaving
Find a distributor. Please note that if ATMs are not compatible with all European cards, Visa® or MasterCard® holders should not have too many problems
Use of an English-speaking distributor. Generally speaking, the way ATMs are used is identical to that in France. If the French language is not available, select English. "Withdrawal" is then called "withdrawal". If you are asked to choose between withdrawing from a checking account, a credit account or a savings account, choose checking account. Enter a debit or credit transaction, select "debit". (However, if you make a mistake in these different options, don't worry, the only risk is that the transaction will be refused). Enter the desired amount ("amount") and confirm ("enter"). To the question "Would you like a receipt? ", answer "Yes" and keep your receipt carefully.
Withdrawal fees. As the euro is not the country's currency, a commission is charged on each withdrawal. Withdrawal fees vary from bank to bank and generally consist of a fixed fee of an average of EUR 3 and a commission of between 2 and 3% of the amount withdrawn. Some banks have partnerships with foreign banks or let you benefit from their network and offer you advantageous fees or even free withdrawals. Ask your bank advisor for more information. Also note that some distributors may apply a commission, in which case this will be mentioned at the time of withdrawal
Merchandising. Prices are fixed in Taiwan, with the exception of market prices.
Taxes. In luxury hotels and restaurants, the customer is charged 10% of the service to amortize the service and taxes. But this concerns a small number of addresses.
Passport and visas Taiwan
The Taiwanese authorities do not require a visa for French residents staying less than 90 days. The passport must be valid for six months after the return.
All passports issued in France are now biometric. They include your photo, fingerprints and a secure chip. To obtain it, go to the town hall with a tax stamp, proof of address, a piece of ID and two passport photos. The passport is issued in about three weeks. It is valid for ten years. Children must have a personal passport (valid for five years).
Before you leave, remember to photocopy all the documents you take with you. You will take one copy of each document and leave the other one with someone in France. In the event of loss or theft, renewal procedures will thus be much simpler with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website (mon.service-public.fr). Simply create an account and scan all your IDs and other important documents in the confidential area.
Driver's license Taiwan
Renting a vehicle in Taiwan is easy and convenient enough to discover the charms of the country at your own pace. This guide advises serious providers to rent a car, but you can also ask your hotel to help you. Count between NT$2,000 and NT$8,000 per day. You must have an International Driving Permit, which will allow you to drive for 30 days. After this period, an extension of the international permit must be applied for at the Motor Vehicles Office in Taipei. The Taiwanese highway code is similar to ours, but traffic is quite chaotic, especially in the big cities. So only drive if you are comfortable in these unusual conditions. An alternative often preferred by tourists is to rent an electric scooter (usually a few hundred NT$ per day) that can be recharged in any 7-Eleven in the country.
Health Taiwan
Warmth. Taiwan's subtropical climate can be difficult for some people to tolerate, especially in summer. In case of intense physical exertion while cycling or hiking, large quantities of water should be drunk to avoid any risk of dehydration. The nights are very hot, and the hotels are equipped with air conditioning and, when this is not the case, at least fans, usually hanging from the ceiling. Don't look for heating, it is very rare in Taiwan, as temperatures very rarely drop (and at the coldest peaks) below 10°C.
Mosquitoes. Mosquito is the common name given to the 7,000 or so species classified in the Culicidae family. Not all of them attack humans. However, in addition to the harmless cousin, 300 species like to feed to our detriment and about a hundred species are vectors of diseases, sometimes serious like dengue fever or Japanese encephalitis.
Dengue fever. This virus, which is quite common in tropical countries, is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the same vector of the Zika virus and chikungunya. Dengue results in a flu-like syndrome (fever, headache, severe joint and muscle pain). There is no preventive treatment. Never take aspirin. As this disease can be fatal, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor in case of fever and to drink water regularly.
Hepatitis A. For hepatitis A, the existence of prior immunity makes vaccination unnecessary. It is common if you have a history of jaundice, have been abroad for a long time, or are over 45 years of age. Hepatitis A is usually mild but can be serious, especially after the age of 45 and in cases of pre-existing liver disease. It can be caught through poorly washed water or food. If you are a carrier of liver disease, vaccination against hepatitis A is highly recommended before any type of trip where hygiene is precarious. It must be given twice, but the first injection, one month before departure, is enough to ensure protection for a short trip. The second (six months to a year later) reinforces the duration of immunity for decades.
Hepatitis B. High risk in the country. Hepatitis B is more serious than hepatitis A. It is contracted through sexual intercourse or blood. Hepatitis B vaccination should be given twice a month apart (although there are accelerated vaccinations in one month for travellers in a hurry), followed by a booster six months later to increase the duration of protection.
Coronavirus (CoVid19): Taiwan was one of the first countries affected by the epidemic from China. At the time of writing (February 2020), the Taiwanese health authorities had the situation under pretty good control, and most of the infected people had stayed in a high-risk area. In view of the limited information available, it is recommended to follow the advice of the WHO (www.who.int/fr).
Pharmacy kit. In addition to your usual medications, include an intestinal disinfectant. As dust and pollution are present everywhere in Taiwan, eye drops may also be necessary, and if the air does not suit you, you can always do as the locals do and put on a mask. The Watson stores, very numerous in Taiwan, have a very well stocked pharmaceutical department, so don't burden yourself too much. To prepare your digestive system for the change of food, taking UltraBiotic a few days before departure (to be continued on the spot), an organic medicine aimed at widening the range of intestinal flora, proves very effective against minor acclimatisation diarrhoea.
Hospitals. The health of Taiwan's hospital infrastructure and the competence of local doctors, most of whom were trained abroad, are reassuring. In addition, most hospitals have English-speaking staff. Among those we can recommend are two in Taipei and Kaohsiung: Taipei City Hospital (33 Zhonghua Road, section 2; ✆ + 886 2 2388 9595) and Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital (100 Zihyou 1st Road; ✆ +886 7 312 1101)
Emergency. The emergency number to call in Taiwan is ✆ 119. Please note that it is possible to obtain an operator in English.
Food hygiene. In the majority of large cities, the water is drinkable, but the local authorities advise people to drink it only after it has been boiled: the pipes are sometimes too old and full of heavy metals. To avoid any worries, buy bottled mineral water - very affordable - or drink tea. As far as food is concerned, there is no risk to be feared as cooks make it a point of honour to use only fresh products
Mandatory vaccination Taiwan
Taiwan is not an epidemic area. No vaccination is required upon entry (except for travellers arriving from epidemic areas). However, it is advisable to keep your health record up to date by checking your latest diphtheria, polio and tetanus recalls. In addition, it is recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
Security Taiwan
Seismic risk. The island of Taiwan is located in an area of high seismic activity. In the event of an earthquake, the basic recommendations are as follows:
- Indoors: stay away from windows, outside walls, any furniture, pictures, light fixtures that could tip over; take shelter under a solid table or any resistant furniture or stand under a door frame.
- Outside: try to reach an open space, away from trees, power poles, walls or buildings; in the car, stop at the roadside and wait inside for the shaking to stop.
- In all cases, remain calm, follow the instructions given and wait for help if necessary. Any major earthquake is followed by a series of secondary tremors.
Should an earthquake occur during a tourist stay, French-speaking nationals are advised to contact their families or close friends immediately to reassure them of their fate or, if necessary, in the event of a communication problem with the outside world, with the consular services of their respective national representations.
Typhoons. The typhoon season is from July to October. Typhoons can lead to flooding, landslides and accidents in the city, caused by falling commercial signs, among other things. Warnings are given in advance by the Central Weather Bureau (www.cwb.gov.tw, in Chinese and English), which provides information on the progression of the typhoons, their intensity and the areas affected. Safety instructions are relayed by all media. Television channels provide real-time coverage 24 hours a day. Regular information is broadcast in English by ICRT radio (FM 100.7 in Taipei and Kaohsiung, FM 100.1 in Taichung). Details can be obtained from the special telephone numbers ✆ 166 or ✆ 167 (in Chinese).
Potential danger. Taiwan is a very safe country. Regardless of the place and time of day, there is a sense of security for anyone who walks there. Shops stay open late at night and 7-Eleven chain stores are open 24 hours a day. In short, the visitor, out of overconfidence, might tend to forget that the feeling of security does not exclude crime: thus pickpockets and thieves are rampant in tourist places. Therefore, check the closures of your bags and absolutely avoid putting identity papers, wallet and large sums of money in your backpack. Instead, take a photocopy of your passport with you during the day
Home page. The hospitality of the Taiwanese is measured at every moment and in every detail of daily life. When you are about to choose a dish at random on a map filled with ideograms, a kind soul translates the map and advises you, or when, in front of an orientation map, you weigh up the multiple ways of writing a place name, a passer-by informs you without you having even asked him anything. Wherever he goes, the traveller is welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm. Despite the language barrier, the Taiwanese bend over backwards to satisfy the needs of their guests. The no being badly perceived in the Chinese culture, they will drop you a yes of convenience which sometimes, in spite of their good will, will not be honored. Don't be offended by this, because they will have done their best. The Chinese love to give gifts to their visitors, so it is frequent that in the shops, you receive a small gift to thank you for your visit, and almost systematically if you are invited to dinner at someone's house. It is however advisable not to open this present in front of the recipient.
For the latest information on local security, consult the "Travel Report" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website - www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs - keeping in mind, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that this sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the actual situation in the country.
Woman alone. A woman alone in Taiwan will not encounter any particular problem, not even that of dredging. The Taiwanese are indeed very respectful of etiquette. A single woman, like anyone else, will receive warm help, especially if she is a foreigner.
Traveller with child. Given the country's safety and the quality of its infrastructure, including accommodation and transportation, traveling with children in Taiwan is relatively easy. There is no shortage of activities for your toddlers either: from amusement parks, cultural villages dedicated to aboriginal peoples, southern beaches, and national parks rich in wildlife, they will have plenty to keep them entertained. Not to mention that they should receive special attention from the Taiwanese, who are crazy about foreign children. It should be noted that the hot springs, one of the main tourist attractions on the island, are in places closed to children under 16 years of age.
Disabled traveller. Taiwan does not yet offer all the guarantees to facilitate the stay of disabled travellers. Unless you are staying in a luxury hotel, and even if things are moving quickly and in the right direction, it is therefore preferable to find out before departure about the conditions of your hotel. Access to transport is quite good. At international airports, there are facilities for the disabled. Similarly, Taipei and Kaohsiung MRT stations have elevators in the pedestrian walkways, and the first and last trains of each train have wheelchair spaces. Buses in Taipei and the major cities also have adequate access, which unfortunately is still too rarely found outside the major cities.
Gay or lesbian travellers. Although Taiwan is one of the most tolerant countries in Asia with regard to homosexuality (marriage for all was adopted in 2019), gays and lesbians generally hide their sexual orientation from their relatives or colleagues. There are many gay bars and nightclubs in Taipei, but this number is rapidly declining as soon as one goes out in other provincial cities. There is a great deal of tolerance in Taipei, which even publishes its own free guide, Gay & Lesbian Taipei. For more information on the destination, please refer to the website www.utopia-asia.com
Time difference Taiwan
The time difference is +7 hours in winter and +6 hours in summer. When it is 12h in Paris, it is 19h in Taipei in winter and 18h in summer.
Spoken languages Taiwan
The official language is Chinese. Despite the existence of different dialects, the Taiwanese are still bound by the same language, commonly known as Mandarin. The main dialects of Taiwan are Minnan, also known as Fukienese or Taiwanese, and Hakka; these two languages are spoken by 75% and 15% of the population respectively. Aboriginal languages, gradually forgotten, are today taken up by the new generation eager to safeguard their origins. With family and friends of the same origin, the Taiwanese express themselves in their mother tongue, which often depends on their ethnic origin. Nevertheless, in the workplace or at school, they generally use Mandarin. The unifying factor of these dialects is the use of the same writing system - Taiwan does not use the simplified characters of mainland China.
Due to the years of Japanese occupation, some people of the older generation speak Japanese. English is spoken in large cities by the staff of hotels and large restaurants. Executives and students dominate it more or less well and the younger ones are introduced to the language earlier and earlier. For the rest of the population, the practice of the language is still risky when it is not in its infancy, which will not fail to offer you unusual moments when sign language is the only way to communicate. French is an exotic language in Taiwan, spoken by an infinitesimal part of the population, often attracted by a career as a diplomat (Taiwan has embassies in several French-speaking countries).
Communication Taiwan
The Telephone Directory, a national company, had a monopoly in the telecommunications sector until 1997, when the government privatized the company. The latter was named Chunghwa Telecom. Apart from the transfer of capital from the public to the private sector, this operation has not changed anything in practice since the company continues to exercise a virtual monopoly on the market.
To call from Taiwan to France, dial +33 followed by the number of your correspondent without the 0. To call from France to Taiwan, dial +886 followed by the number of your correspondent without the 0.
local calls. To make a local call, simply enter the eight digits of your correspondent without the area code. For example, to call from Taipei to Taipei, do not dial (02) but only 2349 1635 to call the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.
Long distance calls. For a long-distance call, from one district to another for example, you must first dial the area code of the zone you wish to call. For example to call from Taipei to Kaohsiung, I type (07) before the number of my correspondent. Here is the list of telephone codes for the different areas of Taiwan: Taipei, Keelung 02 - Taoyuan Hsinchu, Ilan and Hualien 03 - Mioali 037 - Taichung, Changhua 04 - Nantou 049 - Chiayi 05 - Tainan, Penghu 06 - Kaohsiung 07 - Pingtung 08 - Kinmen, Wuchiu, Tungha, Nansha 082 - Matsu 0836 - Taitung 089.
Mobile phone calls. All you need to do is dial the code specific to all mobile numbers, (09) followed by the 8 digits of the phone number.
Toll-free numbers. Telephone numbers with the prefix 080 are free domestic calls and those starting with 008 are free international calls.
Use your mobile phone. If you wish to keep your French package, you will need to activate the international option (usually free) by calling your operator's customer service before you leave. Who pays what? The rule is the same for all operators. When you use your French telephone abroad, you pay for the call, whether you make the call or receive it. In the case of an incoming call, your correspondent also pays, but only the price of a local call. All calls made from or to foreign countries are out of bundle, including calls to voicemail.
Local SIM card. To obtain a prepaid SIM card to insert into your mobile phone, and thus benefit from a Taiwanese number, you will first have to go through one of the branches of one of the local operators (we recommend the company T-star) in order to register. Count 700 NT$ for two weeks of internet data and local calls. It is therefore not possible to buy a SIM card at the first phone shop that comes along: the simplest thing is to buy a SIM card at the airport: there are stands offering this service just before immigration. For registration, you will need your passport and, if applicable, your work visa.
Internet. The Internet is ubiquitous in Taiwan. Many restaurants and 7-Eleven offer free wifi, as do most hotels. A few internet cafes are still open in Taipei and are mainly for video game players. It is recommended that you purchase a local SIM card for your smartphone so that you can use GPS and instant translation applications.
Electricity and measurements Taiwan
Electricity. As in the United States, the voltage is 110 volts and the frequency is 60 Hz. The sockets have two flat plugs, so an adapter is required. Look out! If you buy equipment locally, make sure that there is a cable compatible with our voltage, or buy an adapter.
Measures. The metric system is in force in Taiwan.
Luggage Taiwan
Let's point it out, because it's not a given: bring a bathing suit, even in winter. The many springs and spas are an integral part of the visit, not to mention the fact that many hotels have swimming pools. The Taiwanese are very concerned about hygiene, so remember to take a bathing cap, otherwise you won't be able to take a dive.
You don't have to worry about it, you'll find everything you need on site. A plethora of shops, of all categories, from top-of-the-range to very cheap, are waiting for you... Always choose clothes made of natural fibres, such as linen and cotton; also bring a sweater, jacket and scarf, to protect yourself from the polar cold that reigns in air-conditioned hotels, restaurants and shops. Even in the summer months, remember to pack a pair of dress shoes in case you are invited. Taiwanese people are very well-dressed, and sandals and flip-flops still have a peasant connotation, even if they tell you that you are "Taiwanese" up to your feet.